Posts in: Christmas

Would you like to go to a theatre where you were allowed to shout back at the actors on the stage? The opportunity to do so comes between November running all the way through Christmas until the start of the New Year when Pantomimes take place in many village halls and theatres across the United Kingdom.

Looking to get into the festive spirit while also shopping for some unique Christmas gifts? Then consider visiting one of London’s Christmas markets. From large German Christmas markets such as Winter Wonderland and the South Bank to smaller Christmas fairs, these 8 markets are perfect for your Christmas shopping needs.

Christmas is a magical time of year to be visiting London. There are spectacular decorations everywhere and people are generally in a festive mood. Here are some of our favourite seasonal experiences which are all great reasons to visit London during the Christmas holidays.

More than anyone else, Charles Dickens invented the British Christmas with A Christmas Carol, his story about Ebeneezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. This book was first published in 1843 and has been adapted for stage and screen many times. Now a new film and exhibition at the Charles Dickens Museum London celebrate this famous story.

Now in its fourth year, the new 2016 winter trail is inspired by the gardens themselves, as the trees, temples and glasshouses of Kew are playfully lit and all aglow. Enter between two giant Christmas trees festooned with ribbon and wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in seasonal colour. Follow the path between a carpet of light gently swaying like blossom and stop for a moment of reflection at the scented Fire Garden inspired by Five Gold Rings from The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Major department stores in London give their shop windows a makeover in December to celebrate the festive Christmas season and become retail theatre. The unveilings are highly anticipated and people often queue for hours waiting for the moment that stores like Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason unveil their Christmas masterpieces.

Christmas trees, Christmas lights and festive decorations are seen all across London during December. It makes the city extremely inviting in the late afternoon and evening for shopping and exploring. Featured below are 8 Christmas trees across London during this festive season.

With the festivities leading up to Christmas in full swing, there are now plenty of opportunities to try ice skating in London. These are some of the popular venues where you can hire skates and have some fun!

Did you know that Kew Gardens was home to one of the very first decorated Christmas trees in England? It was Queen Charlotte in the 1790s who dressed branches in one of the largest rooms at Kew Palace, and when the tree was lit and all aglitter, the whole court gathered round.

For many Londoners the Christmas tree and the carol singing in Trafalgar Square marks the start of the countdown to Christmas. This year the tree was officially lit on 3 December by the Mayor of Westminster, the Norwegian Ambassador and the governing Mayor of Oslo. There will be carol singing by different groups raising money for voluntary or charitable organisations most days until 23 December from 4-8pm weekdays, and 2-6pm weekends. The tree remains until just before Twelfth Night when it is taken down for recycling.

London is a buzz of excitement during the entire month of December. As by the end of November, most of the major shopping areas have their Christmas lights and shop windows decorated. The remainder turn on their lights early December when there is typically a party in the street as the lights are ceremonially turned on by a celebrity or two!

London is a great destination to visit all year round, but there is something magical about the city at Christmas time. The Great British weather doesn’t have too many fans but the crisp nature of a clear Winter’s Day is a thrilling sight (as long as you are properly wrapped up) and there is no shortage of great Christmas London attractions.